After becoming

Chapter 10

I looked around and saw it was true. The table was filled with all my favorite dishes. Sitting around the table, Melanie, Seamus, James, and Greta were all smiling at me.

I hesitated for a moment. If only this had been the scene when I was released from prison. But alas, everything had changed too much to go back.

“Sit down, Nina. I even made you a glass of fresh orange juice,” James said, just like he used to, gently pushing me to sit at the table. He then brought out a large glass of orange juice from the kitchen.

I used to love this. I would always pester James to make it for me.

James handed the juice to me with a smile, “See, I remember all your favorites.”

I smiled politely, “Thank you.”

“We’re family. There is no need for thanks,” he said, waving his hand and then sitting down, looking pleased. “Come on, eat while it’s hot.”

They kept glancing at me during the meal, their minds clearly elsewhere. I pretended not to notice and ate with them.

It was supposed to be a reunion dinner, but the atmosphere was strange.

“Nina, don’t just eat, have some orange juice. James specially picked the best oranges for you.”

“Yes. I went to several fruit stores to find the best ones. Try it and see if it’s sweet.‘

They urged me to drink the juice, looking at me expectantly without blinking.

I smiled slightly and took my time sipping the orange juice before them. When they saw me drinking it, their eager anticipation shifted to something more sinister.

I furrowed my brows and feigned confusion. “This orange juice tastes a bit off.”

My parents, James and Greta, all visibly relaxed at my words. Their smiles turned genuine, no longer the fake, friendly ones from before. Instead, they were almost manic.

“Of course, it does. I added something special to it!” James dropped the pretense and revealed the truth.

“Something special? What do you mean?” I asked.

“Idiot, it’s a poison that will kill you,” Greta blurted out, barely able to contain her excitement. The four of them exchanged looks, their eyes gleaming with the thrill of their successful scheme. My expression twisted slightly, and I feigned weakness. “You want to kill me?”

“That’s right!” James admitted without hesitation, revealing his true feelings. “Why should you keep all that money to yourself and not share a single penny with us? We’re family. Shouldn’t you have shared your fortune with us?”

They had shunned me and kicked me out when they thought I was useless, and now they blamed me for not sharing my money with them. They twisted every bit of logic to their advantage, grabbing every benefit they could.

Melanie glared at me, her voice dripping with resentment. “Exactly. You used to give us all your money without hesitation. Do you know how much we despise this cold–hearted version of you now?” Seamus‘ face showed displeasure as he said coldly, “So you can’t blame us. We treated you well for so many years. Who would’ve thought you’d turn out to be such an ingrate? This served you right.” Seeing them self–righteously indignant and full of misplaced anger, I realized just how twisted their sense of entitlement had become.